This position is located within the Veterans Administration (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Mid Atlantic Healthcare Network (VISN 6), Western North Carolina VA Health Care System (WNCVAHCS). WNCVAHCS includes four sites of care and is a complexity level 1b tertiary care facility academically affiliated with a variety of educational institutions.
Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: You must have a doctoral degree in psychology from a graduate program in psychology accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS), or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) at the time the program was completed. The specialty area of the degree must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. OR, Have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology and, in addition, successfully completed a respecialization program meeting both of the following conditions: a) the respecialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program; and b) the specialty in which the you were retrained is consistent with the assignment you are am applying for; OR, Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature; OR a past, current, or upcoming graduate of VHA Health Trainee Program. INTERNSHIP REQUIREMENT: You must have successfully completed a professional psychology internship training program that was accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed and that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed; OR, New VHA psychology internship programs that are in the process of applying for APA accreditation are acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement, provided that such programs were sanctioned by the VHA Central Office Program Director for Psychology and the VHA Office of Academic Affiliations at the time that the individual was an intern; OR, VHA facilities that offered full-time, one-year pre-doctoral internships prior to PL 96-151 (pre-1979) are considered to be acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement; OR, Applicants who completed an internship that was not accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed may be considered eligible for hire only if they are currently board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty area that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. (NOTE: Once board certified, the employee is required to maintain board certification). OR, Applicants who have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature may fulfill this internship requirement by having the equivalent of a one-year supervised internship experience in a site specifically acceptable to the candidate's doctoral program. If the internship experience is not noted on the applicant's official transcript, the applicant must provide a statement from the doctoral program verifying that the equivalent of a one-year supervised internship experience was completed in a site acceptable to the doctoral program. LICENSURE: Candidates must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Grade Determinations: Minimum Qualifications for GS-15 (Service Chief): Experience: At least four years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-14 level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to supervise and manage a large group of professional staff effectively. Skill in interpersonal relationships, including conflict resolution and ability to work collaboratively with supervisors from other units. Ability to accurately apply the qualification standards, assesses the potential of current and prospective employees, and promotes their professional development. Ability to develop appropriate productivity standards for professional staff, often across multiple program lines. Knowledge of the goals and objectives of the medical center and VISN and ability to communicate these to subordinates. Preferred Experience: Due to the specific nature of research, and the necessity to recruit an individual with research, leadership, and experience working with external entities on recruiting studies, it is necessary to canvas both national VA resources ands private sector opportunities. Extensive experience in writing for grants and working cooperatively with the ORD in hopes of initiating our own CSP projects is preferred. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-15. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-15. Physical Requirements: The position requires occasional, standing, crouching, carrying, stooping, kneeling, pushing and pulling less than 25 pounds. There may be frequent reaching and walking. As this is a sedentary position, it may require sitting for long periods. The incumbent will frequently communicate with staff and customers online, in person and through emails.
Research functions for the WNCVAHCS are unique and extensive. The Research Service assists numerous principal investigators with research projects funded by the VA, National Institutes of Health (NIH), nonprofit organizations, private companies, and organizations. These programs cover a wide range of biomedical disciplines. The ACOS for Research and Development is available to research investigators for mentoring and assisting them with proposal development and budget preparations to meet the Research and Development (R&D) Committee and sub-committee requirements. The ACOS for Research will serve as the point of contact for the local Research community. The WNCVAHCS maintains its own Research and Development Committee (R&DC) and Institutional Review Board (IRB). Duties include, but not limited to: The Associate Chief of Staff for Research and Development (ACOS/R&D) is a position established within the Research and Development Service under the Office of the Chief of Staff (COS). In collaboration with, and under the guidance of the COS and Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS), the ACOS/R&D formulates the goals and objectives of the research program for the WNCVAHCS. The incumbent is responsible for initiating policies, procedures and organizational structures necessary to achieve the stipulated goals. The incumbent is responsible for planning, developing and directing the complex scientific and administrative activities necessary to advance the program. The incumbent has leadership responsibility for all administrative and budgetary operations of the Research Service and for the supervision and evaluation of Service personnel through subordinate supervisors. The incumbent is responsible for compliance with both VISN- and VACO-mandated research policies including those issued by the Office of Research and Development (ORD) and the Office of Research Oversight (ORO). The ACOS/R&D should have a history of research funding and have demonstrated the ability to lead research programs. Functions: Directs the program of Research & Development, utilizing the members of a well­ established and qualified administrative team, governing areas that include: 1. Pre- and post-award grant activities. 2. Program review and reporting. 3. Human Research Protection (HRPP). 4. Biosafety and Biosecurity Programs. 5. Resource Management including R&D Finance, Human Resources, Facilities (Space & Equipment), and Logistics. 6. Compliance and Reporting. 7. Intellectual Property (IP) management. Works with R&D management team and the R&D Committee to develop appropriate local policies and procedures for governance of the program. Represents and advocates the R&D Program to VA Management at local, VISN and national levels; to affiliate University officials; and other management officials at all levels including State, other federal agency, academic, industry and non-profit entities. Develops and encourages collaborative scientific efforts within and outside the VA. Provides guidance and mentorship to VA academic faculty. Is appointed the Research Integrity Officer for the WNCVAHCS by the Executive Director, and as such takes the lead in investigating and resolving allegations of research misconduct (interfaces with local, regional, and national officials, and the affiliate university when joint faculty appointments are involved). General Duties: 1. Directs R&D Administration. Leads the administrative team in performance of its varied functions, problem identification and resolution, program improvement and compliance. 2. Provides Guidance and Mentoring to Academic faculty. Meets with faculty on a regular basis and as needed, providing leadership and guidance, particularly to junior faculty. 3. Develops Program Resources including facilities, personnel, and funding. 4. Represents R&D program to senior management at national, regional, (VISN) and local levels, advocating for needed resources and working to ensure a strong, well­ supported and productive program. 5. Ensures compliance with federal and state requirements. 6. Serves on governance committees as ex-officio board member of the R&D Committee and the VA non-profit governing board, providing strong leadership, expertise, and interaction. *Performs other tasks, as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00AM-4:30PM Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized for highly qualified candidates.